The CONtact Innovator Mentorship program, launched by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), will run in 2020/21 for the third consecutive year. The initiative aims to march aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs creating new solutions for the construction industry with experienced industry leaders to help refine their products and services.
“As the current COVID-19 pandemic continues, the construction industry has a renewed interest and desire to fast-track innovation,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president. “The CONtact Innovator Mentorship program provides the perfect first step to identifying new innovative solutions.”
Last year, the program received more than 30 applications from across Canada, which 15 innovators and entrepreneurs were selected by an independent advisory panel. The selected mentees had the opportunity to meet with industry experts, with receiving pilot orders from the mentor organizations.
New to the program, the top three selected mentees will receive an opportunity to travel to CCA’s 2021 annual conference to pitch their solutions to industry experts, a “Contractors Den.” Innovators and entrepreneurs interested in participating in the 2020/21 CONtact Innovator Mentorship program can submit their online applications by August 30 at www.cca-acc.com/contact.
Construction experts with five-plus years of industry practice or who have experience helping to bring innovative solutions to market are invited to apply by CCA.
The CONtact Innovator Mentorship program is presented with support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).